Conservation Volunteering New York

Coney Beach Volleyball

**A friendly game of Co-Ed beach volleyball. All levels are welcome and we encourage any donation via Zelle to continue this group going. Please arrive 15 min early to help us set up. We will bring the field outline and volleyball. We encourage you to invite friends.**

Little Island - Novice Volunteer Trip

Looking for a day full of both kayaking and being with fellow volunteers supporting our public program? This trip has been scheduled for those volunteering for the 3:00 PM embayment shift, so you can get a morning paddle in before volunteering. Little Island is a no landing trip. We will paddle a short distance each way, perhaps 2 miles, to Little Island, a NYC park suspended over the Hudson on concrete pillars. We'll paddle under the park, into the "concrete jungle", before heading home **PREREQUISITES TO RSVP**: 1. Promise to volunteer with our public programming in 2026. Note, if the trip is full, preference will be given to those on the afternoon embayment shift. AND 2. Completed either 1 training in 2025/2026 with the craft you will be taking or completed a new volunteer session. AND 3. Completed a wet exit in 2025/2026 and show control of your kayak/SUP **Craft**: * Sit on Top - allowed, but limited by the embayment * Sea Kayak - only if completed a wet exit in 2026 and show control of your kayak. NOTE - if you have done a training but not a wet exit yet, we can do one before the trip. Message me please to discuss. * SUP - only if completed 2+ mile round trip or with SUP trainer approval * OC1/OC2 and Surfski can't maneuver under Little Island **Come prepared:** * Change of clothes * Water in a reusable bottle * Sun protection - hat, sunglasses, sunscreen * Anything else you may need to spend 3 hours on the water! **Timeline:** Start readying: 09:30 AM Briefing (cutoff): 10:00 AM Move boats to water: 10:15 AM Depart HCCB: 10:30 AM Arrive destination: 11:20 AM Explore under little island Return briefing: 11:55 AM Depart: 12:00 PM Arrive HCCB: 12:50 PM End of trip: 01:20 PM Eat lunch Embayment 03:00 PM Slack is 11:32 AM. Beforehand, the river is ebbing, with a peak ebb at 07:34 AM of -2.2 knots. After, the river is flooding, with a peak flood at 01:52 PM of 0.9 knots. Sunrise is at 05:28 AM. Sunrise is at 08:26 PM. \-\-\-\- HCCB is completely volunteer run. Our guides generously take time out of their busy schedules to run trips and trainings. Here are our guidelines about cancelations and no-shows: \ *For a trip, please cancel prior to 8:00 PM the day before* the trip. \ *For a training, please cancel at least 6 hours* before the training. If you do not cancel before the cancelation cutoff time, you will be marked as a no-show. Hosts reserve the right to deprioritize you on waitlists after the second no-show of the year.

National Trails Day Hike w/ Sharon ~6 miles

**LED BY SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY** **Essex County South Mountain Reservation - Tulip Springs Area Hike** Time: 8am-11am Meet at: Essex County South Mountain Reservation, Tulip Springs Parking Lot, Cherry Lane Distance: 5+ miles, Intermediate level. Suitable for ages 16 and up. From Tulip Springs the Lenape trail takes us to Oakdale then to the walkway around the Waterfront, where we pick up the Zoo Loop. We will continue on Zoo loop, passing the Turtle Back Zoo and Codey Arena on Northfield Ave. After visiting turtle back rock, we head back to Tulip Springs on the lower turtle back trail. Meet at: Tulip Springs, large parking area next to pavilion **Leader**: Sharon Salmon 973-715-5554 (cell) \*\*\* In registering for this or any other South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) programs in 2026 online, I hereby release and agree to hold the SMC, its volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees, harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, in this SMC activity, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any other SMC activity. I understand that this release discharges the SMC from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives, may have against the SMC with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any SMC program. This liability waiver and release extends to the SMC along with Essex County and its staff and any other affiliated organization or SMC partner. I also understand that by signing below I approve the possible use of photos of me at this SMC event on social media or in promotional materials. **BY REGISTERING FOR THIS HIKE I attest I am in good health and attest that I: Am not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.** **Am following all CDC recommended guidelines, above, and limiting my exposure to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.** \# Arrival\, Weather\, & Cancellations Please come to the starting point 10 minutes ahead of time so the hike can start promptly. Times are our best estimates; they can vary depending on conditions, and the size and pace of a group. If you have any questions, call the leader. **Temperatures above 90 degrees and steady rain cancels, but intermittent drizzle does not. You will *not* be notified.** **Bring water. Wear hiking boots, preferably waterproof with good soles and traction devices and bring poles (optional).** Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless specified. These hikes are publicized first to SMC members and then advertised to the public one week before a hike. There is a limit of 25 participants, so pre-registration is required at least two days before a hike to sign the liability waiver online and allow lists to be sent to hike leaders. If you have registered and then find you cannot attend, please cancel your order online. **Repeated no shows without prior cancellation will result in removal from list.** **To become a current member visit [[https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)]([https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)).**

Mitsuwa: Intermediate Volunteer Trip - 10 miles total

*This trip is open to those who have volunteered in 2025/2026 public program events.* HCCB is completely volunteer run. Our guides generously take time out of their busy schedules to run trips and trainings. If you RSVP yes, please consider this a **commitment to attend**. If you cancel or no-show, you take a spot away from someone else. Hosts reserve the right to temporarily or permanently ban you from all their meetups if you cancel within 8 hours or are a no show. **Mitsuwa: Intermediate Volunteer Trip - 10 miles total** Let's go to our favorite Japanese marketplace and eat some delicious food! **PREREQUISITES TO RSVP:** 1\. volunteered **at least** 4 shifts in 2025 **AND** 2\. completed at least one intermediate or advanced trip in 2025 **AND** 3\. Have an intermediate time trial **COME PREPARED:** * Wetsuit recommended 1-2mm or paddling jacket * drysuits at the boathouse (if needed) * Change of clothes in a dry bag * Something warm to put on when we land * Shoes for when we land * Water in a reusable bottle **TIMELINE:** 7:30 AM Arrive at the boathouse 7:45 AM Safety briefing (cutoff) 8:15 AM Carry boats to the beach 8:30 AM Depart HCCB 10:00 AM Land and stash the boats 10:30 AM 1.5h to relax and eat 12:00 AM Meet by the boats and carry to water 12:15 AM Depart Mitsuwa 1:45 PM Arrive at HCCB, carry and clean up boats 2:30 PM Trip ends 2026-05-30 6:59 AM slack - 2026-05-30 8:52 AM flood 0.98 2026-05-30 11:09 AM slack - 2026-05-30 2:52 PM ebb -2.42 2026-05-30 6:02 PM slack -

Turtle Back Rock w/ Donna ~5 miles

Meet at Turtle Back Rock parking lot. 9:30. Moderate hike 5 -6 miles ups and downs and some rocky sections. Bug spray water needed and snack. **Leader**: Donna Burkat- 973-454-5635 call or text if you need to cancel. \*\*\* In registering for this or any other South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) programs in 2026 online, I hereby release and agree to hold the SMC, its volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees, harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, in this SMC activity, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any other SMC activity. I understand that this release discharges the SMC from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives, may have against the SMC with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any SMC program. This liability waiver and release extends to the SMC along with Essex County and its staff and any other affiliated organization or SMC partner. I also understand that by signing below I approve the possible use of photos of me at this SMC event on social media or in promotional materials. **BY REGISTERING FOR THIS HIKE I attest I am in good health and attest that I: Am not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.** **Am following all CDC recommended guidelines, above, and limiting my exposure to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.** \# Arrival\, Weather\, & Cancellations Please come to the starting point 10 minutes ahead of time so the hike can start promptly. Times are our best estimates; they can vary depending on conditions, and the size and pace of a group. If you have any questions, call the leader. **Temperatures above 90 degrees and steady rain cancels, but intermittent drizzle does not. You will *not* be notified.** **Bring water. Wear hiking boots, preferably waterproof with good soles and traction devices and bring poles (optional).** Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless specified. These hikes are publicized first to SMC members and then advertised to the public one week before a hike. There is a limit of 25 participants, so pre-registration is required at least two days before a hike to sign the liability waiver online and allow lists to be sent to hike leaders. If you have registered and then find you cannot attend, please cancel your order online. **Repeated no shows without prior cancellation will result in removal from list.** **To become a current member visit [[https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)]([https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)).**

Historic Riverside Park Volunteer Service & Lunch Under The Trees

Almost Blue Moon Night Hike w/ Dennis Percher

**Saturday, May 30, 8:15 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Almost Blue Moon Night Hike.** A 4-mile hike at a moderate pace with moderate uphills from the Tullip Springs picnic area to the Turtle Back Picnic Area via assorted trails. **Meet at:** [Tulip Springs Parking Lot](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tulip+Springs/@40.7555017,-74.2939792,652m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c3ac0ba735f6f5:0x32a931ad1ecd3888!8m2!3d40.7555017!4d-74.2914043!16s%2Fg%2F11bxg2_5_h?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDUxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (the large parking lot to your right with the large shelter and bathrooms). \*\*\*For ages 15+. Bring a flashlight or headlamp (sunset is at 8:12 p.m.) and bug spray. **Hike Leader:** Dennis Percher, 973-868-6994 \*\*\* In registering for this or any other South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) programs in 2026 online, I hereby release and agree to hold the SMC, its volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees, harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, in this SMC activity, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any other SMC activity. I understand that this release discharges the SMC from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives, may have against the SMC with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any SMC program. This liability waiver and release extends to the SMC along with Essex County and its staff and any other affiliated organization or SMC partner. I also understand that by signing below I approve the possible use of photos of me at this SMC event on social media or in promotional materials. **BY REGISTERING FOR THIS HIKE I attest I am in good health and attest that I: Am not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.** **Am following all CDC recommended guidelines, above, and limiting my exposure to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.** \# Arrival\, Weather\, & Cancellations Please come to the starting point 10 minutes ahead of time so the hike can start promptly. Times are our best estimates; they can vary depending on conditions, and the size and pace of a group. If you have any questions, call the leader. **Temperatures above 90 degrees and steady rain cancels, but intermittent drizzle does not. You will *not* be notified.** **Bring water. Wear hiking boots, preferably waterproof with good soles and traction devices and bring poles (optional).** Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless specified. These hikes are publicized first to SMC members and then advertised to the public one week before a hike. There is a limit of 25 participants, so pre-registration is required at least two days before a hike to sign the liability waiver online and allow lists to be sent to hike leaders. If you have registered and then find you cannot attend, please cancel your order online. **Repeated no shows without prior cancellation will result in removal from list.** **To become a current member visit [[https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)]([https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)).**

SMC Trail Work Volunteer Day

**TRAIL WORK** will continue work on rerouting the Hogenauer Trail away from backyard fences. We will meet at the Dog Park (11 Bear Lane) and walk down Crest Drive to the trailhead at Crater View. Trail work is physically challenging but very satisfying as we use hand tools to build and repair trails. Participants must be 15+ years. Those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should wear long pants due to [ticks](https://www.somocon.org/?page_id=193928&fb) and sturdy shoes, and bring gloves (though backup gloves will be available). Tools, water, and a snack will be provided. (Registration is not required though if you sign up on Meetup, it helps us know how many tools to bring.)

Central Park Bird & Nature Walk

Nature & Bird walk with an experienced naturalist and bird guide, Debbie Becker. We will be walking and observing birds, butterflies, fungi, plants, trees and waterways in the Park that are part of this beautiful environment. $15 per person for 1.5 hour walk. To register please send $15 via Venmo to @Deb-becker-8 or $16 via Paypal to editconsul@aol.com Location will be posted by 10am on the day of the walk. We always meet at a major entrance to Central Park off 5th Avenue.

Masters of Impressionism / Walk Through Monet, Van Gogh, and More

**Attention: Please register on the AMC website. MeetUp is not used for trip registration.** https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX0000017JN7/act00020714 Let us step into the sun-drenched gardens of Giverny and the swirling wheat fields of Provence. This event is dedicated to the masters of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. We will meet at the foot of the [Metropolitan Museum of Art](https://www.metmuseum.org/) Main Steps (5th Ave), near the South Fountain/Flagpole. Skip the aimless wandering and head straight to the 2nd-floor galleries (800-830) to immerse ourselves in the works of Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh. 🎨 What We’ll Do: 9:45 AM \- 10:00 AM \| Meet & Greet: Gather at the steps for a quick roll call before heading through security together\. 10:00 AM \- 12:30 PM \| The Light & Color Tour: A curated stroll through the masterpieces\. We’ll discuss the "rebellious" techniques behind Monet's Water Lilies and the raw emotion in Van Gogh's Wheatfield with Cypresses\. 📝 Important Notes: Tickets: Please purchase your tickets online in advance or bring your NY State ID for "Pay-as-you-wish" entry. We won't be waiting in the ticket line as a group. Punctuality: The steps are crowded! If you’re late, please meet us inside at Gallery 818 (The Monet Room). Travel Light: Avoid large backpacks to speed up the security check. AMC Health Advisory: Covid and other respiratory illnesses are circulating in our communities. Do not participate in this activity if you, or someone who you have recently been in contact with, is either infected or symptomatic.

Central Park Bird Walk

Bird walk with an experienced naturalist and bird guide. $20 per person for 2- hour walk.To register please send $25 via Venmo to @Deb-becker-8 or $26 via Paypal to editconsul@aol.com See hawks, eagles, ducks and spring birds. Location will be posted by 10am on the day of the walk. We always meet at a major entrance to Central Park off 5th Avenue.

Clean up Highbridge Park Trail

Let's help clean up the trail in Highbridge Park. It's a lovely, shaded area along the Old Croton Aqueduct (OCA) trail. Hundreds of walkers will follow this route as part of the 'Hike The Heights' community event on June 6, and we want to show it at its best. Grabbers, work gloves, and bags will be supplied. **BRING:** water, snacks/lunch, hat, and sunscreen. There are tables where we can grab lunch after the clean-up. Wear closed-toe shoes. **MEET:** At 9:45 am, meet in front of Starbucks on the NW corner of Broadway and 168th Street. Take the 1/A/C. At 10 am promptly, we walk to Adventure Playground Park house at 165th and Edgecomb Avenue. Please feel free to meet us there if you are running late. There are restrooms and a water fountain. LEADERS: Pamela Cress pactoday@gmail.com (917-597-2664)